What does heartburn feel like?
People with heartburn generally describe one or more of the following symptoms:
- a burning chest pain that begins at the breastbone and moves up toward the throat
- a feeling that food or liquid is coming back into the mouth or throat
- an acid or bitter taste at the back of the throat
- an increase in severity of pain behind the breastbone when lying down or bending over
Heartburn is caused when acidic stomach juices reflux-or flow backward-into the esophagus. This generally occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)-the natural valve that keeps stomach acid in the stomach and out of the esophagus-relaxes or is not functioning properly.
When functioning normally, the LES opens like a door that allows food into the stomach but not out the same way. However, at times the LES relaxes and allows stomach juices to flow upward into the esophagus. This relaxation exposes the esophagus to the harsh acid from the stomach. Physicians refer to this as gastroesophageal reflux.
Various lifestyle and dietary factors can contribute to heartburn by 1) increasing the relaxation of the LES, allowing it to open 2) increasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach 3) increasing stomach pressure, or 4) by making the esophagus more sensitive to harsh acid. These triggers vary from person to person. The most common contributing factors include the following:
- Eating/Dietary Habits
- Eating foods such as citrus fruits, chocolate, peppermint, spearmint, tomatoes or tomato-based products, raw onions, garlic, black pepper, vinegar and fatty or spicy foods
- Drinking beverages such as coffee, citrus juices, and caffeinated, carbonated or alcoholic beverages
- Eating large portions
- Eating before bedtime
- Certain positions
- Lying down, especially after eating
- Bending over
- Medical reasons
- Pregnancy
- Hiatal Hernia
- Taking certain medications
- GERD
- Lifestyle habits
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Certain types of exercise/body positions
- Hectic lifestyle
- Wearing restrictive clothing
National Heartburn Alliance
